The new Rhineland-Palatinate Minister for Science and Health, Clemens Hoch, visited Mainz University of Applied Sciences on August 9 and took the opportunity to exchange views with the Board and representatives of the three schools and the students. The agenda included the challenges faced in the areas of teaching and research as a result of the corona pandemic, the anniversary activities of Mainz University of Applied Sciences grouped under the theme "25 Years of the Future Project", along with ongoing projects in the three schools. As a special feature of his visit, the Minister presented the President of the University, Prof. Dr. Susanne Weissman, with a grant of 250,000 Euros, which the Ministry of Science and Health (MWG) is providing to support the project "HAW – Lehrideen vernetzen" (Universities of Applied Sciences - Networking Teaching Ideas).
"Mainz University of Applied Sciences has high ambitions in terms of making a relevant contribution to current challenges in our region," stated Prof. Dr. Susanne Weissman. "On behalf of all Rhineland-Palatinate universities of applied sciences, we would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Health for supporting this collaborative project and look forward to a constructive exchange so that we can continue to work together on developing solutions to current issues in the future."
The objective of the online platform "HAW – Lehrideen vernetzen" is to bundle innovative teaching ideas and make them accessible to all teachers across all universities throughout Rhineland-Palatinate. The project constitutes a continuation of the "Lehrideen vernetzen" platform founded by Mainz University of Applied Sciences and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, which was funded by the Higher Education Pact and was available exclusively to members of Mainz universities.
"Using the platform 'Lehrideen vernetzen', a statewide dialog between teachers at universities in Rhineland-Palatinate can be initiated, both across disciplines and within specialized academic communities," explained Minister Hoch. "The platform creates a virtual space to disseminate innovative teaching ideas, network teachers with each other, create synergies, collaboratively develop teaching ideas and transfer them into meaningful educational concepts. This project contributes to an offensive aimed at improving the quality of digital teaching in Rhineland-Palatinate. This enhances the attractiveness of the state as a place to study."
The Ministry of Science and Health (MWG) is funding the project as part of the funding program "Strengthening digital structures, competencies and processes at universities of applied sciences, including administration", which is part of the program "Strengthening digitalization at universities of applied sciences." The project application had been submitted jointly by all universities of applied sciences in the state under the leadership of Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
25 Years of the Future Project
The members of the Board then took the opportunity to present the anniversary activities of Mainz University of Applied Sciences, which was established as an independent university in 1996 from two departments of the previous Fachhochschule Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate University of Applied Sciences), to the Minister under the theme "25 Years of the Future Project".
"As we celebrate '25 years of Mainz University of Applied Sciences' in the coming months, we will always include a look to the future," stated Prof. Gregor Ade, Vice President for Communications and Transfer. "Future-oriented research, teaching and work have never been merely ends in themselves for us in Mainz, they have above all also been obligations to implement this knowledge responsibly and in a socially relevant way. In our anniversary communications, we are demonstrating how answers to the (mega) issues of the future of society are being developed at the university in research and teaching. Collectively, the three schools are producing valuable and relevant projects, contributions, research, and impetus in this regard."
After a presentation of ongoing research projects by representatives of the three schools of Business, Engineering and Design and an exchange of ideas that also involved the Personnel Council and the Student Representative Committee, Minister Hoch concluded his visit by taking a look at the construction site of the 2nd construction phase of Mainz University of Applied Sciences. With the completion of the approximately 13,000 square meter building complex planned for fall 2023, all three schools of Mainz University of Applied Sciences will be brought together at one location. The traditional topping-out ceremony will take place on September 24, 2021.
